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Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid status is associated with bone strength estimated by calcaneal ultrasonography in Inuit women from Nunavik (Canada): A cross-sectional study

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the status in selected saturated (SFAs) and monounsaturated (MUFAs) fatty acids and the Stiffness Index (SI) in Inuit women from Nunavik (Northern Quebec, Canada).

Design

Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Setting

Inuit population from 14 communities who participated to Qanuippitaa? How are we? Nunavik Inuit Health Survey in 2004.

Participants

187 Inuit women aged 35–72 years.

Measurements

SI was determined by ultrasonography (Achilles InSight device) at the right calcaneus of participants. SFAs and MUFAs contents of erythrocyte membrane phospholipids were measured after transmethylation by gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector. Several factors known to be associated with bone strength were concomitantly recorded. Multiple linear regression was used to investigate relations between selected SFAs, MUFAs and SI, taking into consideration several potential confounders and covariates.

Results

Total SFAs, in particular behenic acid, and cis-vaccenic acid among MUFAs were negatively associated with SI (β = −0.028, SE = 0.011, p = 0.0084; β = −0.060, SE = 0.023, p = 0.0093 and β = −0.087, SE = 0.019, p <0.0001, respectively), whereas total cis-MUFAs and specifically oleic acid were positively associated with SI (β = 0.036, SE = 0.011, p = 0.0008; β = 0.037, SE = 0.011, p = 0.0014, respectively) after adjustment for several covariates.

Conclusion

Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid status is associated with bone strength estimated by calcaneal SI values in Inuit women from Nunavik.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Axe santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, 2875 boulevard Laurier, Édifice Delta 2, bureau 600, Québec, QC, G1V 2M2, Canada

    A. C. Paunescu, Pierre Ayotte & E. Dewailly

  2. Laboratoire de toxicologie, Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 945 avenue Wolfe, Québec, QC, Canada, G1V 5B3

    Pierre Ayotte

  3. Axe santé des populations et pratiques optimales en santé, 10 rue de l’Espinay, D6-700, Québec, QC, Canada, G1L 3L5

    E. Dewailly & S. Dodin

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  1. A. C. Paunescu
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  2. Pierre Ayotte
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  3. E. Dewailly
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  4. S. Dodin
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Correspondence to Pierre Ayotte.

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Paunescu, A.C., Ayotte, P., Dewailly, E. et al. Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid status is associated with bone strength estimated by calcaneal ultrasonography in Inuit women from Nunavik (Canada): A cross-sectional study. J Nutr Health Aging 18, 663–671 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-014-0498-0

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